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Pitch CompetitionDirect fundingNo equityVerified

North Country Regional Business Plan Competition

Also known as: NCRBPC

Clarkson University · Potsdam, NY

An annual business plan competition hosted by Clarkson Ignite since 2013, serving as the North Country regional qualifier for the New York State Business Plan Competition. Student teams across multiple tracks pitch their ventures to panels of investors and industry judges for cash prizes. Open to college students across the North Country region (Clarkson, SUNY Plattsburgh, Paul Smith's College, others) but Clarkson students consistently perform well.

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Quick fit check

  • Offers direct funding
  • No equity required
  • Currently active
  • Verified by research

Key numbers

Funding range

$250 – $2,500

Grant

Equity

None

Application

Annual

Regional

Last activity

2026-03-27

High confidence

Application and Timing

Annual event held in late March. Registration opens in early spring via Clarkson Ignite. Multiple competition tracks (5-6 per year).

Participants

College students from across the North Country region. Open to all majors. 2026: 70+ students, 26 business ideas, 5 tracks. 2024: 77 students, 34 teams. First- and second-place track winners advance to NYS BPC.

Funding and Equity

2026: Grand prize $2,500. Track prizes: $1,000 (1st), $750 (2nd), $250 (3rd). 2024: Track prizes $2,000 (1st), $1,000 (2nd), $500 (3rd), Grand prize +$3,000 ($5,000 total). 2023: Same track structure, Grand prize $3,000 extra. Special prizes (Innovative Prototype, Most Innovative Technology, Greatest Commercialization Potential) also awarded. All prizes are non-dilutive grants. No equity taken.

Recent Activity

14th annual competition held March 27, 2026. 70+ students, 26 ideas, 5 tracks. Grand prize: Port Patch ($2,500). New Innovative Prototype prize introduced. Multiple sponsors including Woods Oviatt Gilman, NuMED, North Country Savings Bank, St. Lawrence Health, Citizen Advocates, Sperry Energy, Point Positive, Stewart's Shops.

Known startups and winners

Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.

See every startup

Doorbit

$500

prize won

Clarkson University

1st placeCompetition winner

2023 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC Greatest Commercialization Potential winner ($500 Shipley prize).

EmelieMinis

$5,000

prize won

Clarkson University

Grand prizeCompetition winner

2024 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC grand prize ($5,000); learn-to-crochet kits by Emelie Laribee.

Fathead Feeder

$5,000

prize won

Clarkson University

Grand prizeCompetition winner

2023 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC grand prize ($5,000); pet feeding solution by Lily Clonan. Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar.

Port Patch

$2,500

prize won

Clarkson University

Grand prizeCompetition winner

2026 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC grand prize ($2,500); medical comfort device by Sophie Kobayashi, Delaney Petri, and Briana Dieckmann.

TrioTech

$500

prize won

Clarkson University

1st placeCompetition winner

2023 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC Most Innovative Technology winner ($500 Shipley prize).

Verification Gaps

  • Prize structure changes year to year; 2026 appears smaller ($2,500 grand prize) vs 2023-2024 ($5,000 grand prize).
  • Full list of winners across all tracks not published annually.

North Country Regional Business Plan Competition

Known Winners

  • 2026: Port Patch (grand prize, $2,500) — Sophie Kobayashi, Delaney Petri, Briana Dieckmann
  • 2024: EmelieMinis (grand prize, $5,000) — Emelie Laribee '26. Advanced to NYS BPC.
  • 2023: Fathead Feeder (grand prize, $5,000) — Lily Clonan '25. Also Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar.
  • Other winners: TrioTech (Most Innovative Technology), Doorbit (Greatest Commercialization Potential)
Additional research notesShow

News & articles

News articles and official sources documenting North Country Regional Business Plan Competition at Clarkson University.

6 sources

Official sources(6)